British Helicopter Crashes In Iraq

British soldier in Al-Basrah (file photo) (epa)
May 6, 2006 -- A British military helicopter crashed in the city of Al-Basrah in southern Iraq today.

Iraqi police said the helicopter crashed into a house in a residential area. Police said the helicopter may have been hit by a rocket, but that report has not been confirmed.

Britain's Defense Ministry confirmed that there were casualties, but did not say how many.

(AP, Reuters)

Sectarian Iraq

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SUNNI, SHI'A: Iraq is riven along sectarian lines, faults that frequently produce violent clashes and are a constant source of tension. Sectarian concerns drive much of Iraqi politics and are the main threat to the country's fragile security environment.

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